Postdoctoral Research Scientist

Hours per week: 37

Project Title: Next generation tools for genome-centric multimodal data integration in personalised cardiovascular medicine

Months Duration: 36

Job Description

Main Purpose of the Job

As part of the EU Horizon / Innovate UK funded project “Next Generation Tools for Genome-Centric Multimodal Data Integration in Personalised Cardiovascular Medicine”, the role will engage with primary research. The post holder, working closely with external partners and members of the EU consortium, will focus on developing machine learning applications to investigate the implications of genetic variation within noncoding functional elements in relation to cardiovascular disorders.

The successful candidate will be required to work with relevant EI staff and with collaborators as part of the EU consortium to carry out necessary research to meet key deliverables for the project. They may also act as a key technical resource to clarify issues, participate in analysis, and apply comprehensive knowledge to contribute to the completion of assignments as part of several research projects.

Key Relationships

Internal: Group leaders at EI, EI’s Director and Senior Management Team. EI’s Science Faculty groups, NBRI and communications and training teams.

External: EU consortium members, consortium project managers, collaborators, visitors to EI. Innovate UK, BBSRC officers, academic and industrial stakeholders.

Main Activities & Responsibilities

Percentage

1. Apply machine learning developments to annotate functional non coding sequences, reconstruct regulatory networks, and prioritise variants - 40%
2. Collaborate with colleagues within the Horizon NextGen consortium and within the Institute in the development of original and world-class research, including contributing to research proposals and grant applications - 25%
3. Develop analytical pipelines for the reproducible handling and analysis of multi omic data sets - 10%
4. Prepare results, reports and manuscripts for publication in leading scientific journals and other relevant media - 10%
5. Disseminate research findings through presentations to various audiences at internal, national and international meetings - 5%
6. Ensure research and record keeping is carried out in accordance with good practice, Scientific Integrity and in compliance with local policies and any legal requirements - 5%
7. As agreed with the line manager, any other duties commensurate with the nature of the post - 5%

Person Profile

Education & Qualifications

Requirement: PhD in bioinformatics, computational biology or related subject with experience of working on genomics and transcriptomics data and bioinformatics - Essential

Specialist Knowledge & Skills

Requirement: Pertinent experience in Linux and in shell scripting - Essential

Experience of transcriptomics, genomics analyses - Essential

Excellent record-keeping and time management skills to work on several different projects at the same time - Essential

Demonstrated skills in at least one of the following programming languages: Python, Perl, R - Essential

Excellent problem-solving skills with the ability to solve problems with numerous and complex variables - Essential

Experience in applying machine learning solutions for genomics investigations - Essential

Requirement: Experience using machine learning applications (e.g. convolutional neural networks, recurrent neural networks) - Essential

Experience of working on externally funded projects - Essential

Experience with next generation sequencing (RNA-Seq, DNA-Seq) and large-scale data analysis - Desirable

Interpersonal & Communication Skills

Requirement: Ability to follow instructions/Standard Operating Procedures - Essential

Demonstrated ability to work independently, using initiative and applying problem solving skills - Essential

Good communication skills, both written and verbal - Essential

Good interpersonal skills, with the ability to work well as part of a team - Essential

Additional Requirements

Requirement: Attention to detail - Essential

Willingness to embrace the expected values and behaviours of all staff at the Institute, ensuring it is a great place to work - Essential

Ability to maintain confidentiality and security of information where appropriate - Essential

Willingness to work outside standard working hours when required - Essential

Promotes equality and values diversity - Essential

Able to present a positive image of self and the Institute, promoting both the international reputation and public engagement aims of the Institute - Essential

Who We Are

About the Earlham Institute
The Earlham Institute is a hub of life science research, training, and innovation focused on understanding the natural world through the lens of genomics.

We are building a future where the biology of any organism can be understood by analysing its genome. Our mission is to decode the scale and complexity of living systems so we can understand, benefit from, and protect life on Earth.

The Earlham Institute is based on the Norwich Research Park and is one of eight institutes that receive strategic funding from the UKRI Biotechnology and Biological Science Research Council (BBSRC).

Our Science
Earlham Institute scientists specialise in developing and testing the latest tools and approaches needed to decode living systems and make predictions about biology.

We are home to state-of-the-art facilities and technology, creating a unique combination of expertise and infrastructure. We have dedicated laboratories for genome sequencing, single-cell analysis, engineering biology, and large-scale automation; as well as one of the largest supercomputing facilities for life science research in Europe. Our Advanced Training team also provides access to specialised scientific training to upskill the next generation of research and technical staff.

Our Culture
The Earlham Institute champions 'team science'. Our collegiate and innovative research environment comes with significant support, including a commitment to your professional development, research and administrative assistance, and opportunities to build collaborations with scientists and industry on the Norwich Research Park, across the UK, and internationally.

The Institute is also home to talented technical and operational staff, whose invaluable contributions enable our science to have the maximum impact. We aim to recognise, reward, and develop all staff and students so that every individual feels able to achieve their best with us.

We work hard to nurture an engaged and positive workplace, centred on core values that include openness, technical excellence, and collaboration. We attract staff from around the world who contribute to - and benefit from - an environment that enables them to deliver world-class science alongside a supportive and social community.

The project is led by Dr Wilfried Haerty, and the successful candidate will work closely with groups across EI and with external collaborators as part of the Horizon NextGen Consortium.

Postdoctoral Research Scientist

Applications are invited for a Postdoctoral Research Scientist to join the Research Faculty Department at the Earlham Institute, based in Norwich, UK.

Background

In humans, over 90% of the variants associated with traits are found within noncoding regions of the genomes, either within genes' introns, untranslated regions, promoters, or within intergenic regulatory regions such as enhancers. Identifying those functional noncoding sequences and being able to predict the impact of variation within those regions has significant implications. As such, depending on the genetic disorder, between 30% and 70% of the patients do not receive a genetic diagnosis as the likely causative variants fall outside coding sequences.

The recently funded Horizon NextGen consortium encompassing 21 organisations across Europe aiming at developing federated approaches to enable the integration of multimodal and multiomic resources for applications in the areas of cardiovascular medicine. As part of this highly collaborative project bringing together computer scientists, data scientists, bioinformaticians, clinicians across academia and industry, we are seeking an enthusiastic and ambitious Postdoctoral Research Scientist to undertake computational analysis of the functional implications of variation within noncoding functional sequences in relation to cardiovascular disorders.

The role will engage with primary research. The post holder will work closely with external partners and members of the EU consortium, and will focus on developing machine learning applications to investigate the implications of genetic variation within noncoding functional elements in relation to cardiovascular disorders.

The post holder will lead on the development and testing to applications to identify noncoding functional elements based on integration of multi-omic data (genome, transcriptome, epigenome) and integrate this novel information in the development of tissue / condition specific regulatory network, with the aim of prioritising variants occurring within those regions based on their predicted impact. They will also lead on the analysis, preparation, and submission of the associated manuscripts.

The successful candidate will develop computational pipelines centered on machine learning applications such as convolutional neural network to reproducibly handle multi-omic data (genome, transcriptome, epigenome) to enable functional sequence annotation, network reconstruction, and the interpretation of the implication of genetic variation within those disorders.

The post holder will have access to cutting-edge high performance computing facilities and expertise. They will join an active community of experimental and computational biologists working on a wide range of genomics analyses. They will also have the opportunity to contribute to other projects at EI.

The ideal candidate

The successful applicant will have a PhD in bioinformatics, computational genomics or a related subject. They will have significant experience working with genomic/epigenomic/transcriptomic data, and experience with machine learning applications in genomics investigations. The candidate should have a demonstrable working knowledge of programming languages such as Python, Perl, or R.

Additional information

Salary on appointment will be within the range £36,720 to £39,750 per annum depending on qualifications and experience. This is a full-time post until 31 December 2027, with a possibility of a 6-month extension.

This role meets the criteria for a visa application, and we encourage all qualified candidates to apply. Please contact the Human Resources Team if you have any questions regarding your application or visa options.

As a Disability Confident employer, we guarantee to offer an interview to all disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for this vacancy.

The closing date for applications will be 9 June 2025.